“A dog, he says……”
I know. Chae Jinyeong had a nickname among the others.
Im Yuhan’s dog.
Whether it was a hunting dog or just some mutt that wouldn’t stop barking — the nickname stuck because he never strayed from my side. He’d been trailing after me wherever I went since we were kids.
“Still, don’t bring that up in front of Chae Jinyeong. I think even he’d feel bad hearing it.”
“Chae Jinyeong? Come on, you don’t know him? He’d probably say they got it right!”
Lee Seono shot back like that was the most obvious thing in the world. Every time I heard that nickname, I’d frown and think what kind of thing is that to call someone — but Chae Jinyeong himself never seemed to mind. Still, calling a person a dog was a bit much, wasn’t it. I was about to say something more when the teacher rapped on the podium and waved at us to go stand in the back.
Lee Seono and I exchanged a glance, then both let out a long sigh in unison as we got up from our seats.
When lunch came, I sent Lee Seono off to play soccer and sat down in the stands by the field. Normally I’d be out there with him, but I didn’t feel like it today. It was true enough that I had someone to exchange messages with.
Since Chae Jinyeong couldn’t come to school, he’d been busy sending messages nonstop from the moment he got his head back on straight. And I didn’t want to keep him waiting on replies.
[Take your medicine and send a photo]
Jinyeong- [(photo)]
Jinyeong- [it tastes bad ㅠ]
Jinyeong- [(crying rabbit emoticon)]
It was a cute little rabbit with a scrunched-up face, sobbing its eyes out. I let out a quiet breath looking at it, and that’s when a cheer went up. I looked out at the field at the noise — it seemed the team from the other class that was playing against Lee Seono’s side had just scored. The way they were celebrating, it looked like the game was practically decided.
In the middle of the commotion was a face I’d seen before somewhere. The moment I made out who it was, it clicked. We’d only ever had a proper conversation once, but that gentle-looking face wasn’t the kind you’d forget.
Jin Woojin.
“Transferred in not that long ago and he’s already fitting right in.”
That easy, approachable look of his — it made sense he’d blended into class as quickly as I’d expected. I was watching when Jin Woojin suddenly turned his head and our eyes met. He waved at me from across the field, and without thinking I raised my hand and waved back.
At that, Jin Woojin said something to his classmates and then started walking straight toward me with long, purposeful strides.
“Hm……?”
A moment later, a shadow fell over my head.
“We’re finally saying hi properly.”
“Has it really been that long? You were running really well out there. Isn’t the game still going?”
“It’s basically over. Didn’t feel like I needed to be out there for the rest. And I wanted to talk, since I saw you. Oh — is it okay if I sit?”
“Why wouldn’t it be. Sit down.”
I’d thought he was tall before, but Jin Woojin standing right in front of me was clearly even bigger than I’d registered. I handed him the drink I’d brought as he settled in next to me. His eyes went to my hand.
“Drink it. You look out of breath.”
It was still an unopened bottle. Jin Woojin’s lips parted slightly. It wasn’t like I was that thirsty anyway, so I held the drink out to him once more as if to say it was fine. Only then did Jin Woojin accept it with a belated thank you.
“Getting used to school okay?”
“Thankfully there are people around who’ve been helping me out.”
It was obvious he’d already settled in. I’d said it more to have something to say to someone who’d run all the way over just to say hi to me.
“Yeah, I could tell. Even without me, it looks like you’ve got plenty of others looking out for you.”
“……Were you watching?”
“Yeah, I was. Our classes are close by.”
It wasn’t like we’d run into each other often anyway, being in different classes. The odd passing period, the hallway, or moments like this during breaks — that was about it.
Jin Woojin stared at me blankly for a moment, then covered his lips with the back of his hand and smiled. For some reason, it reminded me of Chae Jinyeong from a long time ago. The corners of his mouth lifting in a pleased sort of way — I followed along and gave an awkward smile back.
Something about this felt kind of… fluttery. He seemed to like me quite a bit.
“I was hoping that you, Yuhan……could help me.”
Jin Woojin lowered his hand and asked, drink still in his grip.
“Would it be okay if I asked you for that?”
“……But I’m in a different class, me?”
“Yeah. I know.”
His tone said it like being in different classes was no issue at all. With that smile still on his face, it would’ve been strange to say no. Having a friend in a different class wouldn’t be a bad thing for Jin Woojin either.
In the end, I nodded. As Jin Woojin broke into a bright smile, the warning bell signaling the end of lunch rang out behind him. Right away, voices calling for Jin Woojin from the field started drifting over.
“I should get going. Really, thank you for this too.”
“Yeah. Go on.”
Jin Woojin held up the still-undrunk sports drink in a little gesture, then headed back to the field. Lee Seono, who had been staring after him with burning eyes, came stomping up to stand in front of me with a face full of grievances. That massive frame blocking my view again — I let out a helpless laugh.
“Who is that guy. Just transferred in and he’s already that good at soccer!”
“What does transferring have to do with soccer.”
“Yuhan…… don’t tell me you’re not cheating on your little dog, are you? I’m against it, for the record. Against it!”
“What do you mean cheating. Drop it and let’s go in.”
I stood up from the steps and gave Lee Seono a pat on the shoulder. He seemed to be having a hard time accepting the bitter reality of a 4-to-1 loss.
The streetlights had come on beneath a sky thick with stars. Even though I’d said I’d be there early, it was already past nine at night. I’d realized too late that there was still leftover student council business to take care of — things that needed wrapping up even though the term had ended.
How many years had we been going to and from school together — and why did those few days feel so hollow.
When I got to the playground near his house, the place we’d agreed to meet, I could hear the creaking of a swing. How he’d managed to fold himself into it was honestly pretty funny. Even from behind, I could tell it was Chae Jinyeong.
When I’d asked why he’d been so sick, he’d brushed it off with I’ll tell you when we meet. No matter how many times I pushed, the answer was always the same. His stubbornness was something even I couldn’t crack, so I’d been waiting for today.
Maybe because it was late at night, there was no one in the playground but the two of us. The playground that had been our hideout when we were kids was still a special place, even now as we were growing into something like adults. I walked right up and stood behind Chae Jinyeong.
“I think that thing’s too small for you. You’re going to break something meant for babies.”
I said it in a teasing voice, aimed at his back.
“I thought I was still a baby to you.”
“I’ve never raised a baby this big.”
“You said I was cute — that’s so mean.”
Chae Jinyeong tilted his head back and smiled, the outer corners of his long eyes curving up. I followed the pull of his smile and raised the corners of my own mouth, then ruffled his hair.
“You’re still sick, why are you out here. We could’ve met at your place.”
Only a few days had passed, but his face — already on the slender side — looked even sharper now, like he’d lost weight. And for some reason, it felt like something else had changed too. Had he even grown taller in that short stretch of time.
The image of a younger Chae Jinyeong getting teased by kids and sniffling was still vivid in my mind — but looking at him now, I couldn’t even begin to picture it.
Whatever had changed, I still couldn’t put my finger on what.
“I wasn’t okay — but I’m okay now.”
“Your fever actually went down?”
“You came to see me. That’s why I’m better.”
